Wanggaard represented the 21st Senate District until he lost the seat to Sen. John Lehman, D-Racine, in the June 2012 recall election. Lehman's election gave Democrats a brief 17-16 majority in the Senate until Republicans regained control in the November 2012 election.

Wanggaard had originally defeated Lehman to win the seat in November 2010.

"I am the conservative in this race, and my opponent is too extreme and too liberal for this district," Wanggaard said in a posting on his Facebook page.

Republicans redrew the boundaries of the 21st district, and observers say the district is now less of a swing district and friendlier to Republicans.

Lehman has not announced whether he will seek re-election in 2014.

Wanggaard was joined by Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald at his afternoon announcement.